This Week's Mercury Music Section

Another week, another Mercury music section that you should totally read. You know what else you should totally read? Our sister paper in Seattle, The Stranger, did a really excellent spoof of Rolling Stone's blockheaded "Women Who Rock" issue, called "Men Who Rock." (Who knew men could rock?) It's hilarious and great. Go check it out.

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Gossip have become darlings of Europe, but they're still Portlanders at heart. Their latest record might be more accessible but it certainly doesn't pull its punches.LISTEN:

Gossip - "Move in the Right Direction"

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The prolific Sic Alps have shifted their shape a little bit, but they're still challenging themselves. Here's a song that has Portlander Ryan Francesconi's string arrangements. (Strings on a Sic Alps record? Crazy!)LISTEN:

Sic Alps - "Glyphs"

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THEESatisfaction met at a college open mic, then promptly set sail for the outer reaches of afro-futuristic space.LISTEN:

THEESatisfaction - "Enchantruss"

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The xx subscribe to the less-is-more philosophy. (We'll subscribe to that, too—as soon as our subscription to Cat Fancy runs out.) The British group kept things sparse for the much anticipated second album.LISTEN: